Science & Technology True colours: Conservation of medieval manuscript illuminations Lavishly decorated with brightly coloured illustrations and ornaments, illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages are a feast for the eyes. […]
Science & Technology Antimony: the Element That Reinvents itself The history of humankind follows the history of the exploitation and use of natural resources and, in particular, of metals and metalloids. However, not many chemical elements have been used in such a variety of applications as antimony has and, probably, none has end up by being as ubiquitious as water in our everyday life.
Science & Technology A biochemical conundrum: Aliens, black sheep, and crown jewels Beryllium is unique. Some regard it as highly toxic while others say that it tastes sweet in its inorganic salts. As a matter of fact, it is used in the tower of London and space faring aliens in the sci-fi movie “galaxy quest.” Good explanations of the toxicity of dusts containing Beryllium are still sought.
Academia & Publishing Building the future on hundreds of years of History: Book archives in today’s research. There are hundreds of extensive and ambitious archive digitisation projects taking place across the world today – all with the aim of getting primary research into the hands of millions more people, whilst building a permanent record of academic literature to drive the advancement of ideas for generations to come. None of this would be feasible without the close and ongoing collaboration of libraries, publishers, academic bodies and governments worldwide. And it’s an activity that shows no signs of slowing down.